Fees and forms change. The numbers below were read on 2026-10-16.
What the NIE is
Plataforma ONE, the government portal for these procedures, says that the NIE is granted by the General Directorate of the Police and gives identification effects to natural persons who, due to their economic, professional or social interests, are related to Spain. It adds that the NIE is a personal, unique and exclusive number of sequential nature. It also says that the passport is a sufficient supporting document to register with Social Security during the first 6 months of residence or stay when the foreigner does not have the NIE.
Documents you need
- The official form EX15 is needed in duplicate.
- Form 790 code 012 is needed with proof of payment at the corresponding bank.
- An original and a copy of a valid and current passport or identity document from the country of origin are needed, the latter only for citizens of EU countries.
- Any foreign public document must be previously legalized by the consular office of Spain with jurisdiction in the country where it was issued, or, if applicable, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, unless it has been apostilled under the Hague Convention or is exempt from legalization under an International Agreement.
- Documents from other countries must be translated into Spanish or the co-official language of the territory where the application is submitted, by a sworn translator.
Steps and fee
Plataforma ONE lists four steps and says that the form EX15 and the fee form 790 code 012 are downloaded from the National Police e-Office.
It adds that to pay the fee, the user must select Assignment of Foreigner Identity Number (NIE) at the request of the interested party, which costs €9.84. It also says that the fee is paid at banks, savings banks and credit unions.
It also says that if the procedure is carried out by the foreign national themselves, it is necessary to have a digital certificate.
The same page says that all of the alternatives for submitting the application require the procedure to be carried out in person.
It adds that the procedure must be resolved within a maximum period of five days from the date the application is entered in the register of the competent body for processing.
Where to apply
It adds that the application can be submitted in person in Spain, at Foreigners' Offices or Police Stations, after first requesting an immigration appointment. The same page says that if the interested party is not in Spanish territory, they must request the NIE from the General Commissariat for Immigration and Borders through Spain's Consular Offices abroad.
Requirements
- The applicant must not be in Spain in an irregular situation.
- The applicant must communicate the reasons for requesting the assignment of the number.
- Non-EU foreigners entering Spanish territory from a State with which Spain has signed an agreement to eliminate border controls must declare their entry at the time of entry or personally within three business days at any National Police station or Foreigners Office.
A digital certificate or a Cl@ve login is what lets you file online later, so do those next. See the digital certificate guide and the Cl@ve guide.
Source
Checked on 2026-10-16 against Plataforma ONE: Application for NIE for international individuals. Rules and fees change, so read the official page again before you pay or travel.